The Coyotes have built a healthy stockpile of 14 wins and 31 points to start the season, but their stash is even more respectable considering it wasn’t assembled easily.

The Coyotes have lost 29 man games to injury, have used 19 different lineups through 21 games and have had one of the tougher schedules in the league.

“Every game that you go into, you’re trying to find a way to win, to put the pieces in place that give you the best chance to win,” coach Dave Tippett said. “Players recognize that we’ve got a plan of how we’re going to win. If we execute and get a few things done, it gives us a chance.”

After a four-day break, the Coyotes host the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night. They hoped the time off would help heal some injuries, but they still don’t seem to be at full strength.

Defensemen Derek Morris and David Schlemko practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, suggesting they’ve recovered from their lower-body injuries, but Tippett won’t settle on a lineup until this morning. Morris would have to be removed from injured reserve to be eligible to play, and a corresponding roster move would have to be made.

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek (lower body) skated only briefly Wednesday, and winger Lauri Korpikoski (upper body) was kept off the ice entirely. Tippett is hopeful neither is out long term.

“ ‘Z’ getting out on the ice today was a good sign,” he said. “Korpi, we’ll continue to go day by day with him to see where he’s at.”

Tippet said Korpikoski’s injury is “along the same lines” as the one that kept him out three games in late October.

Just in case Korpikoski can’t play, the Coyotes recalled wing Tim Kennedy from their American Hockey League affiliate, once again tapping into their organizational depth.

“Not consistent lineup but consistent in your system,” center Mike Ribeiro said. “I think everyone knows what we have to do, and it doesn’t really matter who you’re matched with.”

The Coyotes used the same lineup the first two games of the season and a different version for two straight games during that five-game road trip early in the season.

They’ve been able to slot less-experienced players into the lineup and move others around because of a style that doesn’t change.

“When it’s taught a certain way and everything’s drawn out and what’s expected, then you’re able to put in pieces that know what they need to do,” center Jeff Halpern said.

“The system is really the identity of the team.”

What makes their position in the standings even more impressive amid these adjustments is their rigorous schedule. According to ESPN, their strength of schedule ranks seventh in the league.

“Nobody in the room really sees the schedule letting up,” Morris said. “I don’t know if it does anymore.”

But that doesn’t faze the Coyotes. Actually, not much does these days. They have confidence that every player on the roster can contribute.

“On every team, you have a role,” Ribeiro said. “It’s just to define that role, and I think guys are really clear to what they have to do and not do and not really be in the gray zone with what the coach wants from them. Every team they want to create roles for their players, but I think here it’s really defined and everyone knows what they’re doing.”

Up next

Coyotes vs. Avalanche

When: Thursday at 7 p.m.

Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM (92.3).

Avalanche update: After a six-game win streak to start the season, the Avalanche have lost three of their past four games. The lone win in that span came Tuesday at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, with the Avalanche overwhelming the Blackhawks 5-1. Before that game, the Avalanche were outscored 13-5 in three losses. Against the Coyotes, the Avalanche will be without leading scorer Matt Duchene, out with an oblique injury. Goalie Semyon Varlamov will get the start in net, and he’s 10-5 with a .931 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average.

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